Local Region

THE REGION OF ABC

The Universidade Metodista de São Paulo is located in São Bernardo do Campo, an important industrial and services hub in the state of São Paulo and the birthplace of the automotive industry in Brazil. Along with the municipalities of Santo André, São Caetano, Diadema, Mauá, Ribeirão Pires and Riacho Grande, the city is part of the region known as the region of ABC.

It only takes 20 minutes to reach São Paulo, the capital city of the state of São Paulo. And you can get to the coast in less than an hour. This unique location also allows access to the Port of Santos, Congonhas Airport and Cumbica International Airport, in the city of Guarulhos.

The region concentrates important multinational companies and industries in the textile, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as in Information Technology services, but 50% of its territory also happens to be in an area of natural spring reservoirs.

THE GREATER SÃO PAULO

The city of São Bernardo do Campo is neighbor to the state capital, São Paulo – Brazil’s largest city and the 6th largest in the world, with a population of nearly 12 million people. It accounts for more than 32% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

In São Paulo, you find:

- 38% of the 100 largest Brazilian private capital companies;

- 63% of the international groups based in Brazil;

- 17 of the 20 largest banks;

- About 100 of the 200 technology companies;

- BOVESPA – the largest stock exchange in South America;

- The Commodity Exchange and Futures Market (BM&F), the 6th largest in the world in the volume of business.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Among the main tourist attractions of the region are:

- Paranapiacaba: Located in the district of Santo André, at the top of the Serra do Mar mountain range, this historic village was established as a camp for workers of the newly created Sao Paulo Railway Co. With the inauguration of the railway line, which became the principal means for transportation of coffee production from the farm areas to the Port of Santos, the village became important as the last stop before descending the mountain range. The place enchants with the European style architecture of the houses, with the train station clock and its frequent fog. The Winter Festival of Paranapiacaba takes place in July, with shows, exhibitions and a gourmet space. The Feast of Cambuci, a typical fruit of the Atlantic Forest found mainly in the Serra do Mar mountain range, is also held every year.

- The Restaurants Tour: Pleasing different tastes, São Bernardo is also known for its gastronomic variety. The visitor can appreciate different menus visiting such restaurants as Frango com Polenta, Peixe, dos Petiscos and Aperitivos, Prato Executivo and Comida Típica.

- São Paulo Municipal Market: The walk through São Paulo’s historic downtown center must include a visit to the city’s Municipal Market, famous for its cod fish pastry and bologna sandwich, as well as for its variety of products, such as fruit and spices. Built in the 1920s, its architecture with columns in Greek style, glass roofs, skylights and stained-glass windows also attract the attention of those who already know the place.

- Coffee Museum: Located in the city of Santos, the museum is in the building that housed the Official Coffee Exchange that in the 1920s centralized, organized and controlled coffee market operations, which were the country’s main source of wealth at the time. The museum’s main goal is to preserve and disseminate the history of coffee in Brazil and in the world, and it has an Information and Documentation Center, in addition to holding exhibits and offering courses, like that for baristas.

- Museum of the Portuguese Language: A space dedicated to the appreciation and dissemination of the language, it uses leading edge technology and interactive resources for presenting content to visitors. The choice of its location at the Luz train station was for two reasons: Because it is an historic 19th century landmark and because it is in São Paulo, the city with the world’s largest Portuguese-speaking population.